Do you Fast?

Today’s Gospel Text:  Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 And no one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; if it is, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." Matt 9:14-17

Reflection:  Can someone approach a family and tell the children: “Why do we and your parents work to earn and you do not work nor labor in order to earn?”

I am sure no one would do that with small children, you cannot really tell that to a small child.

What happens to a grown up child of 18 or more and if they are not working? Can one approach and make a similar statement and ask them why they are not working in order to earn a living?

Wait a minute, who are we to do that if the parents have no objection to their children not working. 

Jesus in the Gospel communicates a similar attitude, not to burden God's children with the demands of the law, but allow the disciple the freedom, whether to fast or not.

He, by talking about a bridegroom communicates a very important message on fasting and penance, which though based on freedom of choice, could be an invitation to participate more vigorously then the law could demand of anyone.

Christian history has enough proof of the rigor with which the saints, not just the canonized ones but the non-canonized ones too, fasted for the sake of Christ.

How is that possible? It is possible if our relationship with Christ is like that of the Bride with the bridegroom.  As long as the bridegroom is there the bride is happy but the moment the Bridegroom is taken away, it is as if all happiness is robbed from the bride and she is willing to make any sacrifice, if within her means to return to her Bridegroom.  It is the deep longing for the bridegroom that does the miracle!

For the dedicated disciples, being with Jesus was a moment to grow in love and attachment to Jesus the bridegroom, but when Jesus the bridegroom would be taken away, suddenly and more so violently from them, they will definitely miss those great moments spent with the Lord and will fast and pray in order to grow in that closeness which was with them before and without which they cannot be noble instruments of God.

Similarly, the indwelling Holy Spirit and our constant encounter with him creates in our hearts the eager longing of that of a bride for the bridegroom and we are with a little effort from our side, able to seek that union with him through fasting, penance and prayer.

Prayer:  Lord, may we never lose sight of your calling and seek you with all our heart, soul strength and mind, even if this means fasting to seek your face.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us